Phoenix Street neighbors react to Canandaigua murder arrest

CANANDAIGUA — Evelyn and William Freeland said they were shocked to discover the resident of their old home — 110 Phoenix St. in Canandaigua — had been charged Tuesday in relation to a 1998 homicide in Seminole County, Fla.

The pair — who moved from that spot decades ago, but have lived down the road since 1974 — added that seeing police cars on Phoenix Street is no surprise, but the crime itself was a bit startling.

Canandaigua City Police, along with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Investigation unit, arrested Rodney Bice, 42, of 110 Phoenix St., earlier this week after officers received a tip regarding his alleged involvement in the 1998 murder of his girlfriend, Jacqueline “Jackie” Sheehan. She was 31 at the time of her death.

Bice was charged on an active warrant out of Seminole County with second-degree murder.

Other Phoenix Street residents had a different reaction to the news of their neighbor’s arrest.

“I’m not really surprised,” said Gregory Seaborn, who has lived on Phoenix Street for five years. “They’ve been a problem ever since we’ve been here.”

Seaborn added that police have often been seen in the area. Seaborn’s son, Virgil Keele, also said he had observed heavy police presence in the eastern part of Phoenix Street. Both added that they have had verbal run-ins with Bice, along with his family members.

Additionally, another resident of 110 Phoenix St., Nicholas Bice, 17, was charged Wednesday by city police with unlawful possession of marijuana. The arrest was made on Chapin Street.

Others in the area recalled that the elder Bice worked at multiple downtown bars throughout his years in Canandaigua, but didn’t want to comment further. According to Sheehan’s sister, Linda Call, of Edary, Fla., Bice has lived in the area for about six years.

Rodney Bice will be extradited to the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Florida at a later date to face charges.